The Shropshire County Show, one of the oldest surviving agricultural shows in the country takes place again next year on Saturday 23rd May. Whilst it will continue to represent agriculture at its very best in the county, it will be even more attractive to young people and families of all backgrounds. –

Over the Easter holidays take part in a variety of fun drop-in activities from dipping fabulously colourful candles and building a wall with mini-bricks to discovering Morse Code and colouring in pictures of Victorian scenes. The activities willl be staged from Saturday 28 March until Sunday 12 April; sessions take place from 10.15am-1pm and 1.30pm-4pm.

Children from five years and upwards will enjoy using liquid wax in primary colours to create striped multi-coloured candles; they can also see a full demonstration of Victorian candle making. Youngsters trying the mini-brick laying activity can learn how to build a wall using different ‘brick bonds’ to see which gives the strongest walls, afterwards they can spot the different patterns as they walk around the Town.

Over at the Post Office, they can see how telegrams would have been sent using Morse Code before tapping out their own messages on a telegraph key. Mini-brick laying and the Morse Code activities are best for the over sevens, while the Colouring Corner is for all ages, where youngsters will find paper sheets featuring images of places around the Town to be coloured-in.

During your visit you’ll also be able to chat to the Townsfolk in their shops and cottages, find out about curious remedies in the Pharmacy, see traditional skills in action at the printers, candle makers and decorative plasterers and join in the sing-a-long in the New Inn Pub.

There are plenty of places to eat at Blists Hill Victorian Town including the Fried Fish Dealers where you can buy a portion of traditionally prepared fish and chips or the Bakers where the smell of freshly baked bread is sure to tempt! Demonstrations vary from day to day and normal admission charges apply.

Blists Hill Victorian Town 9th 10th May

Join the residents at Blists Hill Victorian Town as they celebrate a traditional Victorian Spring Wedding. During your visit you’ll also be able to chat to the Townsfolk in their shops and cottages, find out about curious remedies in the Pharmacy, see traditional skills in action at the printers, candle makers and decorative plasterers and join in the sing-a-long in the New Inn Pub.

Blists Hill Victorian Town 24th and 31st May

Celebrate Queen Victoria’s Birthday - with special festivities and entertainment throughout the Town. The Town will be alive with patriotic activity and entertainment and all the shopsand cottages will be open for business as usual and the friendly townsfolk on hand to make sure you enjoy this special occasion. The visiting Prince Albert Players will entertain the crowds with their amusing theatrical pieces

Bishop's Castle Walking Festival (May 1 - 25)
A three week programme of guided walks in the Shropshire Hills - short, medium and challenging. This will include special interest walks such as map reading, wild flowers and singing! The programme will give details of these walks and how they fit in with the wide range of events and entertainment in and around the town. Full details available in late January 2015 on walkingfestival.co.uk

BISHOP’S CASTLE MUSIC DAY FOR AMNESTY1st May Bank Holiday (May 1-2)
24 hours of music in the town centre from 4.00 p.m. on Friday to early evening on Saturday by a great variety of band & musicians organised by the town orchestra and Amnesty Group. Music will be played in at least 12 venues both business and community premises, by about 30 various groups of musicians. There will also be market stalls. All venues are free but donations to Amnesty welcome.

GREEN MAN DAY, CLUN1st May Bank Holiday (May 2 – 4)

A traditional springtime festival with music, drama and medieval malarkey. The main festival day is Monday when thousands of spectators gather for the famous Battle on the Bridge.

The Green Man and Ice Queen each have their entourage and approach the Bridge in procession from opposite sides. The Green Man comes down the hill from the Church with the May Queen, whilst the Frost Queen descends Bridge Street with he Following the battle a huge craft fair takes place on the Castle meadow with a variety of craft stalls, great food and more entertainment

THE 12TH CLUN VALLEY CHALLENGE WALKMay 16
16 or 26 miles starting from Clun Memorial Hall with 4,300 ft. of ascent. Entry £20 includes certificate, badge and gourmet refreshments. No dogs and no entries on the day
(01588) 640190 01588) 640190 http://www.clunvalleychallenge.com/

ARBOR DAY & CEILIDH AT ASTON-ON-CLUN2nd May Bank Holiday (May 24)
Parade from the village hall at 1.15p.m. to the famous black poplar tree for the 2.00 p.m. ceremony, Morris Dancing, singing and readings, followed by children’s entertainment on the green. An evening ceilidh will be led by Mostly John.
Norman Brassington n.brassington@btinternet.com

WALCOT HALL OPEN DAY2nd May Bank Holiday (May 24 & 25)
Walcot Hall, Lydbury North. The gardens and arboretum of this former home of Clive of India are open for charity under the Yellow Book scheme from 1.30p.m. to 5.30 p.m. both days.
(01588) 680570 - 01588) 680570 maria@walcothall.comwww.walcothall.com

BISHOP’S CASTLE MIDSUMMER REJOICINGJune 20 & 21
Fete on the Saturday and Rush Cart parade with Morris Teams on the Sunday morning followed by service at St. John’s Parish Church and then Morris dancing in the Three Tuns Yard.
(01588) 630324 - (01588) 630324

CLUN GARDENS OPENJune 21 & 22
Many gardens in the village and surrounding area open to the public.

01588) 640217

BISHOP’S CASTLE TANDEM TRIATHLONJune/July
Teams of 2 with tandems swim, cycle and run starting from The Community College and SpArC grounds Bishop’s Castle.http://www.tandemtriathlon.org.uk/

BISHOP’S CASTLE STONE SKIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPJune 28
At Walcot Hall, Lydbury North lakes from 12.00 noon to 5.00 p.m.
Take part in the various stone related events or just watch the fun. Bring a picnic.
Heather Ashton walkbc@live.co.uk